Naomi urges abuse victims to break the silence

A survivor of domestic violence has paid tribute to a Birmingham-based project for helping her come to terms with her personal trauma.

Naomi Donald, who is studying the Youth, Communities and Families BA at University College Birmingham, has just completed the six-month Building from Broken Pieces programme.

Run by Breaking the Silence (BTSUK), the project combines therapeutic activities including creative writing, drama, counselling and the writing of a daily journal to help women who have been subjected to abuse, forced marriages and human trafficking.

Building from Broken Pieces is one of several schemes in line for a £50,000 windfall in a public vote called The People’s Projects. The latter is a partnership between the Big Lottery Fund, ITV, STV and The National Lottery that gives the public a say in awarding National Lottery funding to community projects across the UK.

Although Naomi’s abusive relationship ended more than a decade ago, she says trauma has no timescale and she struggled to come to terms with her ordeal. However, the project and the support of the other women had been a tremendous help.

“Completing the course has helped me to learn forgiveness. It has helped me with the trauma,” says Naomi, who has a teenage daughter.

She attended the fortnightly sessions with Building from Broken Pieces, meeting in central Birmingham with a small group. “Everyone has a different story to tell,” adds Naomi.

By speaking publicly, she hopes other women who have suffered emotional and physical distress will seek help. Naomi also hopes people will vote for Building from Broken Pieces in the poll, which can be done by going here. Voting closes at noon on Monday, April 3.